Armenian Assembly’s Annual New Year Event Brings Together Community, Elected Officials

PASADENA, Calif. — Elected officials and a cross-section of the Armenian American community of southern California, including Armenian Assembly of America members and supporters, gathered on January 13 to celebrate the new year at the home of Assembly Southern California Regional Council (SCRC) member Al and Diane Cabraloff. The Cabraloffs generously opened their home to over 125 members and guests for an evening filled with good cheer and delectable food to usher in a new year of effective advocacy on pro-Armenian issues on Capitol Hill and in California’s State Capitol in Sacramento.
Paul Hachigian, Dr. Gary Nishanian, Nicole Nishanian, Diane Cabraloff, Lily Balian, Colette Nishanian, Sosy Hachigian, and Grace Hachigian

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-27), California State Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-25), California State Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-46), and Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger participated in the gathering, shared remarks, and presented certificates of recognition to Al and Diane Cabraloff for their exemplary work in the Armenian community and in light of their contributions for the greater good of humanity.

“I’m always pleased to stand with my friends in the Armenian-American community. I’m proud of the strong relationship between the U.S. and Armenia, and I appreciate the important part the Armenian Assembly of America has played in helping to promote and strengthen that relationship. I’m committed to continuing that relationship, including continued support for foreign aid to Armenia, a new double-tax treaty to encourage growth in both countries, and an official recognition of the Armenian Genocide which will finally put our country on the right side of history,” Rep. Chu said. The Congresswoman is a Member of the US House Appropriations Committee, and a dedicated champion of consistent US foreign assistance to the Republic of Armenia, as well as continued humanitarian and de-mining aid to the Republic of Artsakh.

“It was such a pleasure to kick off the New Year with the Armenian Assembly of America. I am always appreciative of opportunities to spend time with this terrific organization and its hardworking and caring members. It’s truly an honor to represent the largest Armenian community in the County of Los Angeles,” said Barger.

On an annual basis during the month of April, Supervisor Barger and fellow supervisors formally salute Armenian Americans making a positive impact in Los Angeles County, in addition to officially commemorating the Armenian Genocide, in partnership with a wide array of community organizations, during a Board of Supervisors session. Notably, in December 2018, Barger spearheaded a $1-million contribution from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for the future Armenian American Museum in Glendale.

Portantino chairs the California State Senate’s Appropriations Committee and serves as the founding Chairman of the State Senate’s Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange. In 2018, Portantino secured state funding for six full scholarships available to American University of Armenia student candidates to attend the University of California’s Hastings College of Law.

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Nazarian chairs the California State Assembly’s Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care. In 2017, Nazarian authored the landmark Divestment from Turkey Act, which received broad, bipartisan support in both chambers of the California State Legislature.

Other officials and staffers in attendance included California State Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-43); Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek; Dickran Tevrizian, retired senior judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California; former California State Assemblymember Steve Samuelian; Board Member of the Pasadena Unified School District Roy Boulghourjian; Mary Hovagimian, representing Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA-28); Garo Manjikian, representing California State Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-41); Jack Kayajian, representing City of Los Angeles Attorney Mike Feuer; Z. Greg Kahwajian, member of the County of Los Angeles Civil Service Commission; and Harout Semerdjian, member of the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission.
LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger with Diane and Al Cabraloff

The Cabraloff are dedicated members and supporters of the Armenian Assembly. Al is a long-time member of the Assembly’s SCRC, which regularly meets with elected officials to educate them on policy priorities for Armenian Americans residing throughout southern California.

During a brief program, Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan welcomed Assembly members and guests to the gathering and served as the master of ceremonies. Assembly Board of Trustees member Lisa Kalustian delivered a presentation on the Assembly’s advocacy, community outreach, and summer internship programs’ achievements in 2018, and encouraged attendees to get involved with the Assembly through membership, volunteerism, and political activism.

Southern California-based leaders of the Armenian Assembly in attendance at the gathering included Board of Trustees members Lisa Kalustian and Talin Yacoubian; SCRC members Flora Dunaians, Helen Haig, Michelle Kezirian, Jim Melikian, and Margaret Mgrublian; and Orange County Regional Committee members Sosy Hachigian, Christine Kotchian and Nicole Nishanian.

“The Armenian Assembly is grateful to Al and Diane Cabraloff for warmly welcoming a diverse group of members and friends of the Assembly to their beautiful home. The Cabraloff family’s generous hospitality compounded the positive and forward-looking vibes permeating at the gathering. The Assembly intends to harness the constructive energy of the gathering in its advocacy, outreach, and policy planning work in 2019,” stated Toumajan.